Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Makeup Geek challenge - Pink, Lavender and Aqua

Makeup Geek just posted a Spring Colors challenge for a look based off this collage:


Essentially, an aqua/pink/lavender color block:


I've never entered a Makeup Geek contest before, but a makeup friend of mine suggested I submit a look.  I don't expect to win--I entered for the fun of it.  These are three colors that I would've never really thought to put together.  It was fun to try a look that I otherwise would've never done.  Here is what I came up with:


Here is the recipe for this look:
  • NYX Eye Shadow Base in White
  • Lid: Finland, Kat Von D 'Truth' palette
  • Crease: Rehab, Kat Von D 'Truth' palette
  • Outer V: Prague, Kat Von D 'Truth palette
  • Brow bone: NYX Prune
  • Under brow arch: Sister, Kat Von D 'Truth' palette
  • Crease dusted with NYX Glitter Powder in Purple
  • Outer 2/3 of lower lash line: Prague, Kat Von D 'Truth' palette
  • Inner 1/2 of lower lash line: Finland, Kat Von D 'Truth' palette
  • Eyeliner: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Black
  • Mascara: Covergirl LashBlast Luxe Mascara in Black Platinum
So try it out!  You may be surprised what you can get when you experiment with fun colors!

Click here to view other entries in the Makeup Geek Spring Colors challenge.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

My First Birchbox!


I recently signed up for a service called Birchbox.  It's a $10 per month service where you are sent at least 3 deluxe samples of beauty products right to your mailbox.  It's a fantastic deal, because for the money you spend, you actually get more than $10 worth of product.  It's also a way to try things that you wouldn't normally, and you can see if you like something before you spend money on the full size product.

Needless to say, I was excited to receive my first Birchbox in the mail the other day.  First, here are pictures of what my box looked like upon receiving it and opening it:

Straight from the mailbox

Product box

First look upon opening - product info card

All the goodies packed so beautifully!

From left to right:  LIV GRN Earth Eau de Parfum, Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer, Zoya product line booklet and polish spoon set, Zoya nail polish in Jules, Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel, Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion.  Bloomin Seed Card pictured in front of products.


This month, in honor of Earth Day, Birchbox partnered with EcoFabulous and greened the box, inside and out.  The products are all earth-friendly.  And every bit of Birchbox packaging, from the tissue paper to the information card, is recyclable (this month and every month).  The box itself is sturdy, and I plan to repurpose it for craft/makeup supplies or jewelry.

Here is a run down on the products included in the April Birchbox:



Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel: A potent alpha and beta hydroxy acid complex with certified organic apple, lemon, grape, raw cane sugar and willow bark delivers spa-grade exfoliation. This full strength facial peel will reveal a natural, brighter complexion while firming the skin and eliminating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  I noticed that this product is not recommended for sensitive or rosacea skin, like mine.  So I plan to use it only on my oily T-zone area.  They do, however, offer a peel for sensitive skin as well.
Full size (2 fl oz.) $45.  Birchbox deluxe sample (0.5 fl oz.) $11.25










Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer:  A proprietary blend of fruit stem cells deeply penetrates the skin to repair DNA damage and encourage new cell growth to aggressively firm and eliminate wrinkles. Antioxidant-rich fruit juices, fat-soluble Vitamin C and plant oils hydrate and improve elasticity for lasting, advanced age defy results.
Full size (1.7 fl oz.) $65.  Birchbox deluxe sample (0.07 fl oz.) $2.68







LIV GRN Earth Eau de Parfum:  Made from biodegradable and sustainable ingredients, this lush scent is laced with jasmine and sandalwood.  Plus, ten percent of sales go directly to Global Green
Full size (3.4 fl oz.) $60














Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion:  A silky lotion that adds major hydration without feeling heavy.  Organic rosehip oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and E, which work to soften and protect skin.
Full size (1 fl oz.) $28.  Birchbox deluxe sample (0.17 fl oz.) $4.76




Zoya nail polish in Jules:  Green is glam, especially when it comes to Zoya’s super glossy lacquers.  This versatile metallic hue is your new spring go-to.  Getting this full size bottle of Zoya polish made the whole Birchbox worth it to me.  I am currently obsessed with Zoya polish.  I immediately put a couple of coats of this polish on, and days later, it still has not chipped.  It wears much better than OPI, in my opinion.  The box also came with a Zoya product line booklet that shows every single color they make, along with a set of color spoons for all six colors in the Intimate Collection:  Marley, Dove, Caitlin, Dannii, Jules, and Gemma. Zoya Color Spoons are clear plastic, spoon shaped devices with actual nail polish poured in the nail shaped tip. Simply hold them up to your nails and see what the actual color will look like on your nails as though you applied two coats and a clear topcoat.
Full size sample included in Birchbox (0.5 fl oz.) $8

The color spoons are very true to how it looks on.


Every month, Birchbox throws in something extra.  This month, it was a Bloomin seed paper.  Plant this handmade paper in soil, give it a little water, and watch it sprout into wildflowers.  My daughters are so excited about this!  Although in Phoenix we’re already hitting the 90s, so I’m not sure how well the wildflowers will like it here!

As you can tell, I’m thrilled with the Birchbox service.  For only $10, what I received in this month’s Birchbox was valued at $26.69.  And that doesn’t include the value of the LIV GRN Eau de Parfum, since I’m not sure how many fluid ounces are in the glass sampler bottle.

Birchbox also offers a really fantastic points program.  You earn 1 point for every dollar you spend.  So I automatically get 10 points each month for the Birchbox.  Then you can earn 10 points for each product review survey you fill out on their website of the samples you received in your Birchbox.  And finally, you can earn 50 points for each friend you refer who becomes a Birchbox member.  So if you decide to join Birchbox, please let them know Diane Drozdowski referred you (thanks!).  Birchbox has a shop with full sized products of all the samples.  For every 100 points, you get to take $10 off in the Birchbox shop.  Additionally, a Birchbox membership gets you exclusive access to their extensive library of beauty articles, how-to tips, and videos.  I really can’t say enough great things about it!  I’ll make sure to keep blogging about the monthly Birchboxes so you can decide if this is something you’d like to do.  I figure for $10 a month, you can’t go wrong!

Note:  I have not been paid or reimbursed in any way by Birchbox or its affiliates to write this blog review.